Has anyone here had any problems with the Phase V tactical Extended Bolt Release (EBR) V2?
I have the older version on my work rifle, which is a 16 inch LMT. On my rifle, the EBRv2 has been flawless.
A co-worker has tried 3 different versions on his LMT MRP 18 inch rifle. He has had nothing but problems. He has had problems with the bolt failing to lock back after the last round being fired. This problem happens about half the time. He has been using Magpul and USGI magazines. The problem can’t be traced to any particular magazines as they all seem to have the same problem about half of the time.
I put the newest version, which has weight relief cuts on it, of the EBRv2 on a co-worker’s Colt 6940 today. I weighed the newer EBRv2 on my kitchen scale and got 3/4 of an ounce. The standard colt bolt release weighs 3/8 of an ounce. I had 2 failures to lock back on 2 out of 10 magazines. The magazines were brand new Magpuls.
I’m pretty sure I’m the co-worker he’s talking about. I’m thinking too strong a bolt catch spring?? Or maybe I’ve got a burr in there somewhere or just a slightly out of spec spring, plunger, lower, or bent pin? Phase V has had about the best CS I’ve ever run into trying to help me through the problem. I really like the part; one piece, perfect positioning, etc etc, I just need it to work. We’ve been racking our brains on this and we think maybe its a harmonics issue. There is some sort of very small vibration that is happening during the recoil of that last round not letting it engage the bolt. I have a few more ideas before I quite, I really want to make the part work. Anybody having similar issues? I haven’t used the BAD but from a parts and pieces point of view, I like the idea of the EBRv2 being one part instead of a bolt on to the original bolt catch. FYI, the gun is an LMT MRP 18"-Norcal911
mine doesn’t always lock back and I love the idea of it being a 1piece vs the two piece with the bad, although I do have a bad sitting in my safeto go on my 2nd once it’s completed.
Seems these lever’s (this brand and magpul) are causing quite a few people to have problems with the bolt not locking back.
This is probably the 5th thread on this with multiple people reporting the same on the various boards.
I do have a BAD but have not been able to shoot with it yet. Just working it in my house I’m a bit leary about if its something that is going to work for me. Its certainly a good idea but how well it matches up to reality will be another story.
A bolt not locking back kind of negates any benefit from the purpose of the lever, and will make operation slower than nothing at all.
I had issues with the first EBRv2 I recieved not holding the bolt back after the last round. I contacted Ken at Phase 5 and he was very easy to work with. He sent me out one of the first lightened versions which to date has been 100%. If you are unhappy with the performance, contact him, he is very concerned about selling a quality product and wants happy customers, great guy to deal with.
Just to be fair when comparing weights between the Phase 5 lever and the BAD, you’ll need to include the weight of the bolt catch with the BAD since it is one piece with the EBRv2. Using the weights in this thread that puts the BAD at 5/8 oz. and the EBRv2 at 3/4 oz. 1/8 oz. is alot closer in weight than the numbers posted seperatly would lead folks to believe.
Ken and I have talked quite a bit, his CS is outstanding. He sent me the new lightweight and I’m having the same problems with it. I’m even testing a newer super light weight (v3, if you will) for him. So far the latest version (v2) is still a no go on my LMT MRP but I haven’t tried the experimental piece yet. I should have a chance to try it next week. I think Ken is going to go as far as driving here and watching my gun fail in order to fix mine and build a better part. I have one or two more variables to play with and I need to check out the experimental part in my duty rifle and hopefully I’ll be up and running. I’ll post results after some more T&E-Norcal911
Just an update-the super light weight (not available yet) seems to work pretty well in my MRP. It’s not 100% but certainly up in the 90+% range especially with the 2 GI mags I was using (older GI’s with magpul follower). Didn’t have time to fully experiment with a variety of mags, but I found 2 that worked quite well and I’m using those for duty now, one in the gun, one in redi-mag. I’ll experiment one of these days with some Magpuls, old GI’s, new GI’s, GI’s with Magpul follower etc. So far so good and Ken has been great to deal with. Don’t be afraid to try this product, especially in conjunction with a redi-mag. My reloads are faster than ever and malfunction drills are great when you can maintain a master grip for many of them. It does take some getting used to though, old habits die hard-Norcal911
